Colorado Dems' meet-Barack drawing

As the end of this seemingly endless presidential campaign finally draws near, the Colorado Democratic Party is trying desperately to maintain its massive army of volunteers for Barack Obama -- and what better way than to dangle a chance to gladhand the candidate himself? After all, basking in the presence of the Other Man From Hope is just the thing to reenergize a volunteer; as evidence, check out the story of a Grand Junction resident whose Obama-canvassing efforts were rewarded with some up-close-and-personal Barack time. With that in mind, the Dems are holding a contest, with volunteers who reach certain thresholds automatically qualifying for an October 20 drawing to determine which eight Coloradans will get to meet Obama during his next Colorado visit. The odds are better than the Colorado lottery -- but probably not by much.

Look below for details of the pitch. -- Michael Roberts

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Can you give a few hours to help Barack win Colorado?

If you do, you may have a chance to meet Barack.

The race is incredibly close in our state, and we have a chance to win if every one of us volunteers just a few hours every week to knock on doors and call undecided voters.

It's not always glamorous work, but it's hands down the most effective way to grow this movement for change.

And for each time you come in and complete a volunteer shift -- by knocking on at least 50 doors or making at least 70 calls -- between now and October 20th, you'll be entered for a chance to meet Barack the next time he's in Colorado.

The more shifts you work, the better your chances.

Sign up now to give a couple of hours to the Campaign for Change.

Barack has built this campaign around the idea he first learned working as a community organizer -- that change comes from the bottom up, not from the top down.

It's clear that individuals reaching out to their neighbors is the most effective way to bring about real change. And with fewer than 30 days left until Election Day, November 4th, we can't afford to sit on the sidelines.

On October 20th, we'll pick the names of eight people who will get to meet Barack.

And the more you get involved, the better the chances your name will be selected, so sign up now and get started right away:

Your hard work could be the difference between winning and losing Colorado -- and that could be the difference between winning and losing this election.

Thanks for all that you do,

Anne Filipic General Election Director Colorado Campaign for Change

Michael Roberts has written for Westword since October 1990, serving stints as music editor and media columnist. He currently covers everything from breaking news and politics to sports and stories that defy categorization.